Tarun Karthick
Port Blair, 16 August 2023
The tranquil shores of Katchal Island are on the brink of plunging into darkness as a severe shortage of diesel threatens to bring about a complete blackout. The island has been grappling with prolonged power cuts for nearly 10 days, raising concerns among its inhabitants and local authorities.
According to reports, authorities at Katchal have alerted authorities at Port Blair and Car Nicobar about the impending crisis, emphasising that the island’s power supply is hanging by a thread due to the scarcity of fuel. The alarm was initially sounded on August 5, 2023, when the Office of the Assistant Engineer at the Electricity Department of Katchal made an official announcement. The announcement detailed the decision to implement load shedding starting August 6, 2023, from 0600 to 0800 hours, citing the limited stock of High-Speed Diesel (HSD).
In the aftermath of this announcement, the load shedding on the island has witnessed an alarming escalation. As of August 15, 2023, residents have been grappling with six-hour-long power cuts, severely affecting daily life and essential services. The dire fuel situation has triggered a cascade of issues, including a disruption in the supply of potable water to the island’s inhabitants.
To sustain the operation of power generators, the electricity department on the island resorted to requisitioning fuel from the neighbouring islands. However, this temporary solution is rapidly dwindling, raising the spectre of a complete power blackout looming large in the near future. The residents have expressed their concerns over the lack of information regarding the arrival of fuel-loaded ships destined for Katchal, which could alleviate the crisis.
With the looming threat of a total blackout, the island’s residents have appealed to the local administration for immediate action. Their plea revolves around the need for an adequate and swift provision of fuel to avert the impending crisis. Additionally, residents have voiced their frustration over fuel rationing measures reportedly being enforced at the ANIIDCO Petrol Outlet on the island, further exacerbating the inconvenience faced by the populace.